bmi diamond club - 2166 miles needed pronto...

Dear Frequent Flyer Experts...

I need 16,000 miles to retain Silver status on my BMI account, and I've just realised that I'm in danger of falling short.

I need another 2166 miles by 17.04.08 and have no time to take any holiday (apart from weekends) - any suggestions?

As you know, BMI is doing double status miles on a return flight taken before next Monday (31st March) so I could always do a day trip to AMS on Saturday for £127 (0.5x800 miles each way = 800, doubled to 1600) - then I'd be <600 miles short and could do a quick MR to MAN or GLA or somewhere during April. Seems a bit of an expensive way of doing things, though, 'cause I'll end up spending about 200 quid to get 2000 miles...

Thoughts? Alternatives? All suggestions gratefully received...

Thanks,


Giler.

As you know, BMI is doing double status miles on a return flight taken before next Monday (31st March)

Be aware : the double status miles offer is NOT valid for flights taken in March. It is the qualifying flight (which does not attract double miles) which has to be taken in March. You get the double miles on flights taken in April and May.

I'm in a similar situation, and after thinking about it, I really can't be bothered. I've never done a MR and £200 + a day of my time to get Silver just doesn't seem like good value. If I'm not doing the miles on BD/* then Silver doesn't really matter to me.

I sold my soul to Skyteam last year when I ended up doing a lot of flights where they were the cheapest or most convenient.

I'm clearly a failed FTer and I fully expect to be excommunicated for my attitude... fetching my coat already :)

Theres always the possibility of receiving the buy back silver for £150 offer when the nice shiny blue plus card pops through the letterbox..

Be aware: the double status miles offer is NOT valid for flights taken in March. It is the qualifying flight (which does not attract double miles) which has to be taken in March. You get the double miles on flights taken in April and May.

Oops - thanks! That changes things.

I guess I just need to take a weekend trip somewhere 1083 miles away... Morocco'd be good, but I don't think *A flies there.

Perhaps Blagger is right, and this isn't worth the money/effort. Seems a shame to lose the 13,834 miles I already have, though.

Damn - that's what they want me to think...

Thanks for your help anyway.

Giler.

As has been stated (and for those who mileage try to Mileage Run in the UK/EU), earning a reasonable amount of miles for any flight is nigh on impossible.

I managed to price up a LHR-DUB-LHR for about £70, for 800 miles which is about par for course (12/4).

Now if you were feeling slightly mad... there's a lovely UA LHR-IAD (Overnight) IAD-LHR for £291 that will earn you all those miles and more (Dep 12/4 at 10:50, Return leg on 13/4 at 9:29, arriving 21:55). According to GC, that'll give you 7353 base miles...

A lot more mile/pence there... With your current silver bonus that will also add up well too (9192 at 3.2p a mile)

Or if you can afford to be in midday on the monday, for £301, you can do a LHR-IAD-AMS-LHR which will net you a total of 10180 miles, 8144 base.

Not pefect.. but something different to do....

This might depend on how you view your membership, but even if you don't think Silver is worth it, it's worth asking yourself, is attaining Gold next year feasable and would that be a worthwhile membership for you to have?
If the answer is yes, then keeping Silver this year will save help you to attain Gold next year by saving you those 13,834 miles.

I believe I read somewhere that DC unofficially gives you a grace period of one month to retain status.

Does anyone have any experience of this? My silver status runs out on 11 April - I will be about 200 miles short which I will make up on 13 April.

However, none of my flights has been with BD - I wonder if this might affect their flexibility.

Best to speak to Diamond Club before hand. it might be ok, but it's best to get some clarity before taking the risk.

Be aware : the double status miles offer is NOT valid for flights taken in March. It is the qualifying flight (which does not attract double miles) which has to be taken in March. You get the double miles on flights taken in April and May.

Where was this offer publicised? I am weekly traveller on Edinburgh to London and have not heard of this. Perhaps does not apply to domestic?

Where was this offer publicised? I am weekly traveller on Edinburgh to London and have not heard of this. Perhaps does not apply to domestic?

Details here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=797154)

BRU-LON one way in discount business (J1OWBMI) will get you 1600 miles for approx £120. So you could go out in Y for £42 (T class) and back in J for under £165 (got to buy tickets separately for each leg) and get 2000 miles. It still leaves you short of 166 miles, though (aarghhh...).
There is availability this Saturday (leave on the first morning flight and get back on the 11.45 am)

I would re-iterate the considerations about if it is really worth it for you - will you be able to get to gold next year and also the buyback option at around 160 quid may be the cheapest way for you to retain this.

Alternatively how about a Jersey shuttle run on Sat evening - around 200 quid in biz this weekend and 3200 status miles.